Thalberg: The Last Tycoon and the World of M-G-M [Hardcover]

Roland Flamini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 1994

Profiles the influential Hollywood figure of the 1920s and 1930s, from his role in the creation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, through his contributions to Hollywood history, to his untimely death at the age of thirty-seven. 15,000 first printing. National ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an editorial appearing shortly after his death in 1936 at age 37, the New York Times called Irving Thalberg "the most important factor" in the motion picture industry. He became head of Universal Studio at 20 and MGM's production chief three years later, supervising more than 400 movies. Archetype of the creative producer, Thalberg brought a new sense of style and glamour to the screen during Hollywood's golden era. This is the first full-dress biography of the legendary producer, revealing the scope of his involvement in such movies as Mutiny on the Bounty , A Night at the Opera , Camille , Grand Hotel and Ben-Hur. Flamini describes Thalberg's complex relationship with his MGM partner Louis B. Mayer, his battles over censorship with the Hays office and his attempt to turn his wife, Norma Shearer, into the first lady of the screen. Flamini ( Scarlett, Rhett, and a Cast of Thousands ) makes good use of Universal and MGM archives and interviews with Thalberg's friends and collaborators to get a firm grip on this elusive, enigmatic figure. And he makes short work of F. Scott Fitzgerald's portrait of Hollywood's boy wonder in The Last Tycoon , which Flamini calls the novelist's fantasy of himself as Thalberg. Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Anyone with an interest in movies has heard the name Irving G. Thalberg. The Oscar given in his name, for "consistent high quality of production achievement for an individual producer," is thoroughly justified. This biography also does justice to the man who led a brief but amazingly productive life. Thalberg was the creative force behind Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, even though Louis B. Mayer had the name recognition. This interesting look at a fascinating man who lived in the tragic shadow of a deadly illness never resorts to gossip or innuendo. It gives a balanced portrait of his professional accomplishments and failures and of his private life as the husband of actress Norma Shearer. A suggested purchase for larger film collections.
- Sherle Abramson, Williamsburg Regional Lib., Va.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 309 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1st edition (February 22, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517586401
• ISBN-13: 978-0517586402
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,649,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thalberg-Last of the Tycoons, February 21, 2005

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Cheryl "Cheryl" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Thalberg: The Last Tycoon and the World of M-G-M (Hardcover)

This was the kind of book you want to memorize if you are interested in the early beginnings of MGM.
Thalberg started out as a secretary to Carl Lemelle, and his brillance and observance of the film industry was noticed by Lemelle and Iriving was placed at Universal as Producer. He took a company with low revenues, and with poor management and made it into a thriving movie making business.
He left there to join forces with Mayer, and they made the deals that subsequently formed MGM.
You will learn much about other producers- and how Irving operated and made MGM a multi-million dollar business.
The journalism is very accurate. I could hardly put this book down for one who wants to digest the early makings of MGM. I also found the spot online where THalberg had his "Ocean Front" home in Santa Monica. Amazing what the internet can tell you.
I would recommend this book. Nice B & W pics too.
Barb